UPDATE : DSTV Ignores Court Order, Hikes Subscription Fees

Multichoice Nigeria, the operator of DSTV,
has ignored the court order halting its hike
in subscription fees and has gone ahead to
enforce the new price at all of its outlets.
When TheCable visited the Multichoice outlet
in Bariga, Lagos, under the guise of
purchasing a DSTV bouquet, there was a
detailed information on the front desk with
information about both the old and new
prices.
The sales attendant confirmed the
implementation of the new price, saying: “It
used to be N1,500 (for the cheapest package)
but now its N1,800.”
Asked why it was no longer N1,500?, she
answered: “Because it has been increased.”
Asked why the company ignored the court
injunction restraining the implementation of
the hiked prices, she said: “They have not
given us the go-ahead to revert to the old
price.”
At the MultiChoice outlet in Akoka, Lagos,
the price increase was also enforced. The
sales person could not provide answers to
questions fielded her.
“They just increased it maybe because of rise
in dollar,” she muttered.
TheCable met a subscriber there who was
unaware of the court order halting the
increase, and he was visibly angry when he
discovered.
“Don’t worry, when they see wahala, you
know Nigerians. Which dollar, dollar that is
coming down. this exploitation should stop,”
he said.
“Let Buhari enter first so that then, we will
start our protest. I can’t see the service; you
put on DSTV, the service will go and come
back.
“There is no light. In 24 hours, we have
electricity for four hours. What is the service
we enjoy that you are increasing?”
Another Multichoice outlet visited at Ikeja
city mall, Lagos, it discovered that the new
tariff has also been enforced there.
When contacted, Caroline Oghuma, the
MANAGER, public relations of DSTV Nigeria,
refused to comment.
“The case is sub judice, so I can’t comment,”
she said. “It’s in court. I cannot comment.”
Pressed further on why the enforcement was
not withheld until the determination of the
suit, she said: “Whatever the situation is,
when a case is in court, the people involved
cannot comment.”
In March, DSTV announced its intention to
increase its tariff by 20 per cent but was
ordered by a Federal High Court sitting in
Lagos to halt implementation of the increase
pending determination of a suit filled before
it.